Palm Trees to Shade a Desert Garden

Even when a gardener lives in a cold climate, he wants a palm tree. The image of its wide fronds sends the mind wandering into tropical paradise; though in reality the person might be bundled up in front of a roaring fire.
For gardeners who live in an outdoor climate where palms can thrive year-round and the landscape is wide-spread, you are sure to find ideas to match your region at your local Master Gardener extension. I found such a demonstration garden late last year when I visited the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners in Clark County-Las Vegas.

Demonstration gardens are characterized by plated tags that explain the plants and offer other garden information. (Photo credit Chris Eirschele)

Their demonstration gardens are filled with flowers, food, and, yes, this time with a Palm Demonstration garden. If you live in the desert, such as in Las Vegas surrounded by the Mojave Desert climate, you will find palm-tree ideas worthy of your consideration.

The Palm Demonstration garden space at the Master Garden Extension matched in equal grandeur to the breath and width typical of palm trees. The courtyard was composed by wide sidewalks made of white concrete. They edged the planting beds and created a round bed in the center, where each grew several palms.

The rock palm is called a tender perennial, though it likes Las Vegas weathers. (Photo credit Chris Eirschele)

Hi Beth:
Though palms are not native to Arizona, when I lived in Scottsdale, landscapers filled the gardens with palms. At times, there would be no shade without palms. Thanks for stopping by Stay Gardening.